The CELLAR

Part 20: THE MAN CAVE

After many, many trials and tribulations, the basement was complete. Well, mostly complete. Complete enough that when I get home, I don't get my tools had head down there- NO! I get a cold one and turn on my 100" projection system, or hop on the treadmill followed by a warm shower- all without having to leave my cave!!!!!

the GYM:

BEFORE:

remember what it as like (AKA the dungeon by my father)?

AFTER:

That's our puppy, Cara. Behind the french doors is the workshop.

A view from the bottom of the stairs. In that hallway, the bathroom lies to the right and the office to the left.

The door to the left leads into the media room. The door to the right is a closet. This view is very similar to the one from the "before" picture.

THE MEDIA ROOM

BEFORE:

The only thing that stayed the same in this entire project is that door behind me.

AFTER:

Sorry, I didn't take any pictures before adding furniture- I couldn't wait to get this room set up.

Notice the built-in bookcases on the left above the couches. The door on the right holds all the plumbing manifolds and water heater. The door on the left is to the bathroom.

The media room, in all it's glory.
The Door on the far right goes outside (same as before) the door just left of it is the electrical closet.

This cool-looking sink was the only thing that would fit in this tight space. It's almost like I planned it that way on purpose.

The toilet is recessed under the staircase. If I could do it over again, I would have placed the drain a little further from the wall.

BTW- do you know much it cost to get a bent shower curtain rod? It's like $100!!! Or you can get pissed about it like me, and make your own- 1 3/4" electrical conduit ($3) bent at Lowe's with the conduit bender thing, 2 threaded compression 3/4" adatpers ($2) and 2 galvanized steel 3/4" butt plates ($16).

Epilogue

I hope you enjoyed seeing this project from beginning to end as much as I did (seeing it end anyway). Perhaps I will post additional projects in the future.

The CELLAR

Looks great!
I have felt the struggle many times,the whole while thinking I can't wait till I'm done with this.
Not soon after my first cold one I am wondering what I can do next. It never stops,trust me.
BTW I know how I would have handled the floor,I would have paid his guys their wages and told Bob- bye bye.
The only time I pay someone to do something for me is if I don't have the time to do it myself and I understand why you did it.

The CELLAR

The CELLAR

Your basement turned out just great! Wow, just beautiful. Congrats, man. Someday, my basement.... Oh, someday. Your project sure is inspiring though. And while I like reading about an ongoing project, having it condensed down like this is pretty cool too.

Your choice of radiant heating system and the setup is really interesting to me. My house (been here a year) has original cast iron radiators. The system is all original (1914 or so) except the newer boiler was installed in '95 (a Weil-McLain VHE NG). I do love the radiant heat!

I'm curious...with your heat reflectors and tubing, how warm do the wood floors get? I've never experienced a system set up that way but I assume your floors are like mine, plank subfloor then hardwood on top. Just wondering.

Again, great job, looks incredible, hope you and the family are enjoying it!

The CELLAR

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marqed97

Your basement turned out just great! Wow, just beautiful. Congrats, man. Someday, my basement.... Oh, someday. Your project sure is inspiring though. And while I like reading about an ongoing project, having it condensed down like this is pretty cool too.

Your choice of radiant heating system and the setup is really interesting to me. My house (been here a year) has original cast iron radiators. The system is all original (1914 or so) except the newer boiler was installed in '95 (a Weil-McLain VHE NG). I do love the radiant heat!

I'm curious...with your heat reflectors and tubing, how warm do the wood floors get? I've never experienced a system set up that way but I assume your floors are like mine, plank subfloor then hardwood on top. Just wondering.

Again, great job, looks incredible, hope you and the family are enjoying it!

Andy

Thanks! The system is set so that the floor temperature is 75 degrees. You can go as high as 90 in areas where you won't be standing long (like a hallway).